NJ Bishops Raise Concerns Over Cuts to Charity Care

(Editor's note: The Catholic Bishops of New Jersey issued the following statement at their board of bishops meeting at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart, Newark, on May 13.)

Catholic hospitals have served the people of New Jersey for more than 150 years. In the 19th century, dedicated and committed religious men and women came to New Jersey and established some of the first hospitals in our state. Today, Catholic hospitals continue because of the commitment and dedication of thousands of physicians, nurses, other healthcare professionals, and staff who provide care to more than 2.5 million individuals each year at 13 hospitals.

Recognizing the many challenges of healthcare delivery today, the Catholic Bishops of New Jersey desire to continue our Catholic mission of providing first-rate service and quality care in our hospitals that welcome patients, especially the poor and vulnerable, without regard to race, religion, or social status.

As New Jersey's fiscal year 2009 budget is debated, we call for healthcare access for the poor and vulnerable to be a priority that is not sacrificed. As the state looks at the proposal to cut $143 million from the Charity Care program and $10 million from graduate medical education, we are concerned that the poor and vulnerable will be harmed as programs are curtailed, staff is reduced and some hospitals are forced to close.

The New Jersey Commission on Rationalizing Health Care Resources was correct in concluding that many NJ hospitals are in "poor financial health" because of underfunding by Medicaid and Charity Care. This underfunding is a threat to the future of many of our Catholic hospitals.

In 2006 Catholic hospitals provided nearly 20 percent of the state's documented Charity Care. The cost of this care was over $241.9 million. The proposed fiscal year 2009 Budget would reimburse approximately $143.6 million towards Charity Care or more than $98 million less than costs. Two Catholic hospitals provided over $16.7 million in Charity Care in 2006 and received no reimbursement at all for the services they provided.

We support the efforts that are being proposed to bring universal healthcare access to New Jersey and we are proud to partner with the state in providing access to healthcare especially for the poor and vulnerable. At the same time, we ask that the funds for Charity Care that would be affected by proposed cuts be restored so that this partnership may continue.

Most Rev. John J. Myers
Archbishop of Newark

Most Rev. William C. Skurla
Bishop of the Byzantine Catholic Eparchy of Passaic

Most Rev. Joseph A. Galante
Bishop of Camden

Most Rev. Joseph Younan
Bishop of Our Lady of Deliverance Diocese

Most Rev. Paul G. Bootkoski
Bishop of Metuchen

Most Rev. Edgar M. da Cunha
Auxiliary Bishop of Newark

Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli
Bishop of Paterson

Most Rev. Thomas A. Donato
Auxiliary Bishop of Newark

Most Rev. John M. Smith
Bishop of Trenton

Most Rev. John W. Flesey
Auxiliary Bishop of Newark

Patrick R. Brannigan
serves as the executive director of the New Jersey Catholic Conference.